Worrying signals from Imo

Keen observers of events in Imo State in the last couple of weeks are bound to be worried about the rising foul political atmosphere in that state. This perception is further reinforced by the fact that the ban on politics is still in force.

If signs of political intolerance and bad blood are very palpable even with the ban on politics still in force, it remains to be surmised what the situation will be when the lid is eventually lifted. For a state that has overtime carved a niche as one of the most peaceful in the country, indications that this record is about to be thrown to the dogs do not give comfort of mind.

Events have taken place in very quick succession to suggest that political actors and sundry personages are about to heat up the political space for their selfish goals. Otherwise how do we account for the intolerance, recurring use of intemperate language and resort to the law of the jungle that have of recent characterized some social events attended by the state governor, Rochas Okorocha and other opposition politicians in the state?

At least in three different occasions in about a month, we have seen signals that the 2015 elections in that state, may turn out bloody if caution is not exercised by those angling for political offices. It would appear that the turn of events may ruffle the trademark peace that has characterized the politics of the state since the return of democracy in 1999.

The rancor and bitter politics that have been the undoing of some sister states may turn out a child’s play if Imo politicians do not exercise caution and utmost restraint in their actions, conducts and language of political discourse.

Though the incident between Okorocha and Charly boy in Oguta during the burial church ceremony of the latter’s father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa does not aptly fit into this categorization, it however, bears mention here. This is more so because the state government had then blamed Imo politicians in Abuja for being the architects of Charly boy’s unruly conduct. Even then, Charly boy had equally explained that his action was to prevent the burial from being turned into a political campaign ground. Either way, politics was inevitably dragged into the matter by both parties.

If people did not understand the fears alluded to by Charly boy then or agreed with action, two other social events since that encounter give a glimmer of what he may have foreseen. This conclusion is further given fillip when it is recalled that the key reason adduced by Okorocha’s image managers for linking Abuja politicians to the incident was their desire to prevent the anticipated huge ovation that was to herald the governor’s speech given his popularity with the people. So they had envisaged that the occasion may be taken advantage of to launder political image. This dimension may have been the fear of Charly boy for which he did not allow the governor to speak. Yet that does not make his action right.

The Oguta incident may not have qualified as an act of political intolerance since Charly boy is not known to be a politician. But the 2014 edition of the Oru Owerri cultural festival held recently in Owerri was all that was needed to tap into the political temperament of the state as the 2015 general elections draw nearer.

That event had in attendance Governor Okorocha, his deputy and the entire state executive council members. Also in attendance were a female governorship aspirant, Senator Chris Anyanwu, another governorship aspirant and former attorney general and commissioner for justice in the state, Ken Njamanze and some National Assembly members among other dignitaries.

Okorocha who spoke immediately after he was inducted urged Imo electorate not to allow criminals and 419 people to be voted into leadership positions in the state any more.

But he stirred the hornet’s nest when he urged the gathering not to allow “a woman who slaps her husband in public to govern the state”. “You must not allow ono na di acho di (married women still in search of husband or worse still women of easy virtue) to govern or represent you anymore”.

His choice of words did not go down well with the audience which subsequently went rowdy. There was commotion as the governor’s supporters and those of the other politicians at the venue attempted to engage themselves.

Those who could no longer withstand the charged environment left even as it was reported that Senator Anyanwu sobbed apparently sensing that the allusions by Okorocha were meant for her.

Okorocha’s conduct at that event has not gone down well with decent minds. Though he did not mention any name in his statement but it was not difficult deciphering whom the allusions were directed at. Worse still, it remains to be imagined why a governor should descend from his Olympian height to embrace gutter language in such a dignified event.

He may have spoken the minds of many when he urged the audience not to vote for criminals and 419 people any more. That is the prayer of right thinking people of the state. Yet, even as it is an open secret that the politics of that state and the country is dominated by these tainted elements, our laws have not helped the situation. Those that can be so classified refuse to admit that such references apply to them. That has been the problem.

Again, this schism reared its ugly head last week at the Iri ji new yam festival of the Mbaise clan. This time, the actors were Okorocha and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha. Ihedioha while welcoming the governor reportedly remarked that he was going to take over from him next year as Okorocha has run out of ideas. He also spoke of the absence of the state government’s presence in Mbaise accusing the governor of neglect.

Okorocha who did not take kindly to this, replied that there is nobody in Imo PDP who is his match in electoral contest and that the PDP is worse than the Ebola virus. He tried to showcase his achievements with a promise to cite a campus of the state university in the area but this did not impress the audience.

The event degenerated to a free for all between Okorocha’s supporters and those of Ihedioha but security operatives were on hand to avert any danger. The governor was said to have been whisked out of the venue even before the traditional kola nut breaking.

Apparently dissatisfied with the outcome of events, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri who represented President Jonathan lamented that Okorocha was “not interested in the event but only came to create confusion and derail it”.

Both Okorocha and Ihedioha have since embarked on recrimination on each other’s role that brought about the pass.

The governor demands an apology for the way he was treated. His adversaries would rather have him apologize to the Mbaise clan for disrupting their ceremony. So the buck passing goes on with tempers highly ruffled.

The ordinary people of the state may turn out victims if this rancor is taken to political campaigns. It is therefore vital that all those seeking the mandate of the Imo electorate abide by the rules of engagement. And to borrow the words of President Jonathan, their victory is not worth the blood of any Imo citizen.